St. Andrews by Foot, Boat and Bicycle

Forget golf: Here are three other ways to explore New Brunswick’s bustling seaside town.

Aug 07, 2014
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By Renée Morrison
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Illustration by Laura Service

St. Andrews

It might be named after the Scottish town that invented golf, but St. Andrews-by-the-Sea has other attractions that bring it to the fore(front). With fresh seafood and Instagram-worthy landscapes, the historic hamlet has everything you could want in a Maritime getaway. Stay atthe newly revamped Algonquin Resort, built in 1889, where Braxton’s (the on-site restaurant) gives a Maritime twist to traditional dishes like eggs Benedict with lobster cakes. After dark, take a seat around the outdoor firepit, and pick up one of the property’s acoustic guitars. Singalongs are encouraged.

1. By foot

Lined with art galleries and boutiques, the main drag – Water Street – can be explored in just a couple hours. At Serendipin’Art, buy a handmade wooden airplane or nab a necklace made with sea glass.

Refuel atHarbour Front restaurant, where the spacious wood terrace looks over the Bay of Fundy. Order the lobster roll – arguably the best in town – served with a side of housemade fries (hand cut and perfectly crispy).

Don’t miss the artisanal beef jerky and hand-painted pottery atthe St. Andrews Farmers’ Market, held every Thursday (through September) at the square by the wharf.

2. By boat

Local charter boats offer excursions ranging from fishing to whale-watching, but Island Marine Quest’s captain Chris Leavitt, along with his marine biologist daughter, Nicole, can tell you the story of almost every isle in the area. (One secluded spec of land has a population of one: a New York doctor who escaped the hectic pace of the Big Apple.) Snap a shot of seals sunbathing on rocks or, better yet, aim your lens toward the town’s blue, yellow and grey buildings in the distance.

Don’t miss Chris’ crash course on lobster fishing. He comes from a long line of fishermen, so ask him to demonstrate how a lobster trap works.

3. By bicycle

Cycling is easy in St. Andrews. It’s impossible to get lost, even if you go solo, but a guided tour with Off Kilter will give you access to the challenging trails. (We swerved down the bumpy, wooded terrain of Pagan Point Nature Reserve.) Owner Kurt Gumushel’s father runs the only kilt shop in town, so be prepared to wear one of his kilts over your gear for the tour – a quirky tradition that’s a nod to the town’s Scottish heritage.

Don’t miss a visit to the St. Andrews Blockhouse, next door to the restaurant.The National Historic Site has been designed to look exactly as it would have appeared during the 1812 conflict with the United States. A table is set with tin kitchenware, and a canon points from the log house’s second-floor window, even though, incidentally, none of the site’s canons were ever fired in battle.